Hat block chuck



April M, 1936., H. scHLEsINGER l HAT BLOCK CHUCK Filed June 4, 1954 www f Patented Apr. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES HAT BLOCK CHUCK Harry Schlesinger, Des Moines, Iowa, assigner of one-half to Alfred F. Yoerg, Des Moines, Iowa Application June 4, 1934, vSerial No. 728,966

14 Claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a chuck or clutch which may be used in connection with a hat block, the chuck or clutch being comparatively simple, durable and inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object is to provide an improved chuck or clutch especially adaptable for use in connection with the hat block of a hat ironing machine, such as shown in my copending application Serial No. 576,683, filed November 23, 1931.

Still another object is to provide a chuck or clutch which can be easily and quickly operated While the machine is in motion and which is made so that it is adjustable, when used in connection with hat blocks, to blocks of various sizes by the mere manipulation of a single operating handle.

More particularly, it is my object to provide a hat block chuck comprising a hat block support and lingers resiliently pivoted thereto, in combination with a stepped cone element engageable with the lingers and movable to various positions for adjusting the fingers to different size hat blocks and to engaged or disengaged positions.

With these and other objects in view my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my chuck or clutch, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a chuck or clutch embodying my invention, showing parts broken away and other parts in section to clearly illustrate the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional View on the line 2--2 of Figure 1 showing a slidable linger supporting element of my invention.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View of the portion of Figure l within the circle 3, showing the association of hat block engaging fingers with a cone element of the machine.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to the left central portion of Figure 1 but showing the parts in a different position; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to Figure 5 showing a modified form of construction.

On the accompanying drawing, I have used the reference character A to indicate generally a hat ironing machine such as the type shown in my copending application hereinbefore mentioned, but which however does not form any part of my present invention. The hat ironing machine A has a hat block shaft I8, suitably driven at a relatively low speed, projecting upwardly from the machine.

My chuck or clutch includes generally a cone element C and a hat block support B. The hat block support B has a hub I 2 secured to the shaft I0 by a set screw or the like I4. Spokes I6 radiate from the hub I2 and terminate ina rim I8. 'I'he spokes I6 are hollow, their bores being indicated at 20.

Slidable in the bore 28 of each spoke4 I6'is a pin-like element 22. It is urged toward movement in one direction byV a spring 24 retained by a plug 26 and seated in sockets or bores 23 of the' elements 22.

The slidable elements 22 are slotted as indicated at 28 (see Figure 2) and hat block engaging lingers 30 extend through the slots. Pivot pins 3I extend through the elements 22 and the lingers 30 for pivoting the lingers relative to the elements.

The fingers 30 extend through slots 32 and 34 of the spokes I6. The fingers thereby prevent the elements 22 from rotating in their bores. In released position, the springs 24 are free to extend the elements 22 inwardly as far as they will go. They are limited bythe lingers 38 engaging shoulders 36 and 38 as in Figure 5, which tip the fingers to an open position for facilitating coaction of a hat block with the lingers, which will now be described.

At the upper ends of the fingers 30,' hat block engaging elements 4I! are provided, these being pivoted by pins 42'to the lingers. A hat block 44 of the ordinary type now in general use and having a hub 46 may be placed upon the support B when the fingers are in open position. The fingers can be pivoted to different relative positions to accommodate hat block hubs 46 of different sizes as illustrated by full and dotted lines in Figure 1.

For imparting pivotal movement to the lingers 30, I provide the cone element C which is of stepped character having grooves 48 of different diameters formed therein.

'I'he lower ends 30al of the lingers 30 are hooked as best'shown in Figure 3 to enter the various grooves 48.

The cone element C is preferably free to rotate either with or relative to the shaft I0 and is provided with an annular groove 50. An operating lever 52 is pivoted at 54 and has a handle portion 56. 'I'he lever 52 is of forked construction, straddling the lower portion of the cone element C and has a pair of pins 58 extending into the groove 50 so that swinging movement of the lever 52 about the pivot 54 Will impart sliding movement to the cone element C. The pins 58 are preferably provided with rollers in the groove 50. Although I have illustrated my invention in lconnection With a hat block, it is obvious that it can be used as a clutch for rotating any element simultaneously with a shaft or disconnecting the two with relation to each other to stop such rotation. For instance, the shaft ID may be considered a drive shaft and the hub 46 may be considered a driven element on the shaft, such as a pulley or the like, so that the handle 56 can be manipulated for driving the pulley with the drive shaft or declutching it relative thereto.

The illustration on my patent drawing is merely by way of example and it is to be understood that my claims are not to be construed as limited to a chuck or clutch useable with hat blocks only.

In Figure 6, I show a modified form of construction in which parts similar to the parts in the preceding figures bear the same reference numerals with the addition of the distinguishing characteristic b. In addition to these parts, I provide a head element 60 for the spring 24h which has a shank 62 extending some distance into the spring. The head element 60 is adapted to bear against a face 64 of the finger 30h, thus tending to tip it to the released position of Figure 5 without, however, engaging the shoulders 36 and 38. p

The head element 60 is retained in alignment by snugly fitting in the spring 24h and the spring in turn snugly fitting the bore 23h of the slidable element 22h. The plug 26h is of recessed construction to provide increased length for the spring so that its tension does not vary so greatly when adjusting the ends 30a. of the fingers 30h from one groove 48 to another. The bore 23h in Figure 6 is of course much deeper than the bore 23 of Figure 2 so that the head 66 can contact with the face 64 of the finger 30h.

Practical operation In the operation of my device, the support B, of course, rotates with the shaft I0 and the hat block 44 can be placed on the support while the cone element C is in its raised dotted line position of Figure 1, in which position the fingers 30 are open as shown in Figure V5.

The lever 52 may then be lowered from the dotted line position as far as it will move downwardly without excessive pressure being exerted on the handle 56. upper ends of the fingers 3D to swing inwardly, causing the elements 40 to engage and grip the hub 46, whereupon slight further movement of the cone element will slide the elements 22 outwardly against the tension of the springs 24. The hat block 44 is then gripped under resilient tension and rotates with the shaft I0 so that the surface of a hat thereon can be cleaned, brushed, or ironed by the iron shown in my copending application. i

The cone element C is stepped so that it is adjustable by movement of the operating handle 56 to various sizes of hat block hubs. The spring tension 24 is provided so as to compensate for slight differences in diameters which could not be taken care of by the steps of thecone C. The springs also provide predetermined tension of the elements 40 on the hat block '44 Aand in conjunction with the shoulders 36 and 38, `ser-ve for the purpose of opening the 'fingers when the cone is raised.

This will first cause the' In the use of the construction shown in Figure 6, the handle 56 when fully raised will permit the slidable element 22h to strike the bottom of the bore in the spoke |612y indicated at 66.

The finger 30h will then be held in the released position illustrated by the surface 64 being constrained by the spring 24h to contact with the full height of the head 60. The first downward movement of the handle 56 will swing the lower end of the finger 30h outwardly and the upper end inwardly until the element 40h engages the hat block hub, whereafter further movement will slide the element 22h outwardly as in the operation of the device illustrated in the preceding figures.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:-

1. In a chuck, a shaft, a driving element ther on, lingers pivoted to said driving element, the pivotal mounting for each finger being movable relative to said driving element and a cone element on said shaft and slidable relative thereto, said cone element being engageable with said fingers to impart pivotal movement thereto to cause the fingers to engage a driven element, said pivotal mounting being spring urged toward the driven element.

2. In a chuck, a shaft, adriving element thereon, fingers pivoted to said driving element, the pivotal mounting for each finger being movable relative to said driving element and a stepped cone element on said shaft and slidable relative thereto, said cone element being engageable with said fingers to impart pivotal movement thereto to cause the fingers to engage a driven element, said pivotal mounting being spring urged toward the driven element.

3. In a chuck, a shaft, a driving element thereon, fingers pivoted to said driving element, the pivotal mounting for each finger comprising a slidable slotted pin, the finger extending through the slot of the pin and a pivot pin extending through the'slidable pin and the finger and a 'cone element on said shaft and slidable relative thereto, said cone element being engageable with said fingers to impart pivotal movement thereto to cause the fingers to engage a driven element and means urging said slidable pins and thereby said fingers toward said driven element and cone.

4. In a chuck, a shaft, a driving element thereon, fingers pivoted to said driving element, the pivotal mounting for each finger comprising a slidable slotted pin, the finger extending through the slot of the pin and a pivot pin extending through the slidable pin andthe finger, spring means to urge the slidable pins toward a driven element and a cone element on said shaft and slidable relative thereto, said cone element being engageable with said fingers to impart pivotal movement thereto to cause the fingers to engage said driven element.

5. In a chuck, a shaft, a driving element thereon, fingers pivoted to saiddriving element, the pivotal mounting for each finger comprising a slidable slotted pin, the finger extending through the slot of the pin and a pivot pin extending through the slidable pin and the finger, spring means to urge the slidable pins toward a driven element, shoulders '.for said fingers toengage when said spring means is free to cause such engagement, said shoulders being arranged for causing the fingers to assume an open position with respect to the driven element and a cone element on said shaft and slidable relative thereto, said cone element being engageable with said fingers to impart pivotal movement thereto to cause the fingers to engage said driven element.

6. In a chuck, a shaft, a driving element thereon, fingers pivoted to said driving element, the pivotal mounting for each finger comprising a slidable slotted pin, the finger extending through the slot of the pin and a pivot pin extending through the slidable pin and the finger and a stepped cone element on said shaft and slidable relative thereto, said cone element being engageable with said fingers to impart pivotal movement thereto to cause the fingers to engage a driven element and means urging said slidable pins and thereby said fingers toward said driven element and cone.

'7. In a chuck, a shaft, a driving element thereon, fingers pivoted to said driving element, the pivotal mounting foreach finger comprising a slidable slotted pin, the finger extending through the slot of the Vpin and a pivot pin extending through the slidable pin and the finger, spring means to urge the slidable pins toward a driven element and a stepped cone element on said shaft and slidable relative thereto, said cone element being engageable with said fingers to impart pivotal movement thereto to cause the fingers to engage said driven element.

8. In a Ichuck, a shaft, a driving element thereon, fingers pivoted to said driving element, the pivotal mounting for each finger comprising a slidable slotted pin, the finger extending through the slot of the pin and a pivot pin extending through the slidable pin and the finger, spring means to urge the slidable pins toward a driven element, shoulders for said fingers to engage when said spring means is free to cause such `engagement, said shoulders being arranged for causing the fingers to assume an open position with respect to the driven element and a stepped cone element on said shaft and slidable relative thereto, said cone element being engageable with said fingers to impart pivotal movement thereto to cause the fingers to engage said driven element.

9. A chuck comprising a shaft, a ring-shaped driving element thereon having a hub and spokes, said spokes being hollow, slidable elements in said spokes, said spokes and slidable elements being slotted, driven element engaging fingers extending through the slots thereof and pivoted to said slidable elements, spring means engaging said slidable elements and tending to force them toward a driven element when supported on said drivingelement and a cone element on said shaft slidable relative thereto and engageable with said fingers to impart pivotal movement thereto to cause interengagement between the fingers and the driven element.

10. A chuck comprising a shaft, a ring-shaped driving element thereon having a hub and spokes, said spokes being hollow, slidable elements in said spokes, said spokes and slidable elements being slotted, driven element engaging fingers extend-Y ing through the slots thereof and pivoted to said slidable elements, spring means engaging said slidable elements and tending to force them toward a driven element when supporte-d on said driving element and a stepped cone element on said shaft slidable relative thereto and engageable with said fingers to impart pivotal movement thereto to cause interengagement between the fingers and the driven element.

11. A chuck comprising a shaft, a ring-shaped driving element having a hub and spokes, said spokes being hollow, slidable elements in said spokes, said spokes and slidable elements being slotted, driven element engaging fingers extending through the slots thereof and pivoted to said slidable elements, spring means engaging said slidable elements and tending to force them toward a driven element when supported on said driving element, a cone element on said shaft slidable relative thereto and engageable with said fingers to impart pivotal movement thereto to cause interengagement between the fingers and the driven element and shoulders for said fingers to engage when said cone element is in released position, said spring means causing such engagement and said shoulders being so associated with the fingers that they tip the fingers to an open position for receiving said driven element.

12. A chuck comprising a shaft, a ring-shaped driving element thereon having a hub and spokes, said spokes being hollow, slidable elements in said spokes, said spokes and slidable elements being slotted, driven element engaging fingers extending through the slots thereof and pivoted to said slidable elements, driven element engaging elements pivoted to said ngers, spring means engaging said slidable elements and tending to force them toward a driven element when supported on said driving element and a cone element on said shaft slidable relative thereto and engageable with said fingers to impart pivotal movement thereto to cause interengagement between the fingers and the driven element.

13. In a chuck, a shaft, a driving element thereon, fingers pivoted to said driving element, the pivotal mounting for each finger comprising a slidable slotted pin, the finger extending through the slot of the pin and a pivot pin extending through the slidable pin and the finger, spring means to urge the slidable pins toward a driven element, shoulders on said fingers for said spring means to engage, said shoulders being arranged for causing the fingers to assume an open position with respect to the driven element and a cone element on said shaft and slidable relative thereto, said cone element being engageable with said fingers to impart pivotal movement thereto to cause the fingers to engage said driven element.

14. In a chuck, a shaft, a driving element thereon, fingers pivoted to said driving element, the pivotal mounting for each finger comprising a slidable slotted pin, the finger extending through the slot of the pin and a pivot pin extendingthrough the slidable pin and the finger, spring means to urge the slidable pins toward a driven element and for tipping the fingers to released position when the fingers are free and a cone element on said shaft, slidable relative thereto and engageable with said fingers.

HARRY SCHLESINGER. 

